Issue 180
May 2014
Llanferres
Yo ur se loca cu rity l sp ec ial ist Intruder Alarms Closed Circuit TV Automatic Gates & Barriers Takeover Maintenance and Service
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News & Views 3
Welcome Welcome to the May edition of News & Views website for more News & Views. details as they become available. Well done to the Older Persons’ Welfare Committee for organising an eggtraordinary family bingo night and Easter bonnet parade. Over £600 was raised which will go toward the cost of the Summer outing. (Don’t forget to book your place see page 4). It was great to see a full hall with so many children there and so much effort into some inspiring bonnets ( see page 7). Congratulations to Adrian Walls and Dan Hurst who have both been selected for the honour of carrying the Queen’s baton for a section of the relay through Wales on its way to Glasgow on 30th May. Please see page 22 and keep an eye on the
Many thanks to Noel Headley for sharing his research into the Great War through his fascinating articles. Best wishes Paul & Siobhan Contact: Paul & Siobhan Gothorp 2 Cae Gwyn Llanferres Mold CH7 5SL Tel: (01352) 810566 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org
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4 News & Views
Notices May Birthdays Happy Birthday to the following Laurie Shillito on 11th May Owen Cordiner who will be 13 on 18th May Nicholas Woodcock on 20th May Mari Ffion Edwards on 21st May Carys Jones who will be 12 on 23rd May Ben Godfrey who will be 16 on 25th May David Logan on 26th May Aidan Giles on 28th May Megan Llewellyn who will be 15 on 29th May
Gwyneth, Ian, David and James would like to thank friends and neighbours for their kind messages of condolences and for their support following our recent bereavement.
Baby Sitting Need a local baby sitter? Why not give Emma a ring - lots of experience. Call
(01352) 810657
SUMMER TRIP The older persons’ summer trip this year will be on Friday 27th June to Bridgemere Garden Centre and Nantwich, then we're booked in for a carvery at the Holt Lodge at 4.30pm. Hope you can make it, please contact any committee member ASAP as the coach is slightly smaller than last year. Contact Yvonne McCorry, Jenny Studley, Daryl Austin, Joan Jones, Margaret Davies, Ann Woodwood Coach leaves village at 9am with pick ups in Tafarn y Gelyn and Cadole, please contact us if you'd like a lift from Maeshafn to the coach in Llanferres. Cost is £5 If you would like a birthday or special announcement included in News &Views please send the details to: news@llanferrres.org or 2 Cae Gwyn, Llanferres, CH7 5SL
News & Views 5
Llanferres Over 60's Club LLANFERRES OVER 60's Club Once again our April meeting was very enjoyable. Mr. David Cummings' talk “The Magic of Swans� was just that - magical! The photography was breath-taking and his obvious rapport with these majestic birds was unbelievable. At our meeting on 13th May Mrs. Carol Pothery will tell us about the work of the Royal British Legion - a national institution. Looking ahead, we are arranging a visit to the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen on July 9th. If you can join us at any meeting, please come. Contact Betty Cook 01352 810 722 or Olive Parry 01352 810 294.
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6 News & Views
May Diary Dates 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Thu Fri Sat Sun 9.30am Morning Worship
5th 6th 7th
9th
Mon May Day Bank Holiday Tue 7.00pm Bowls Club, Village Hall Wed 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall 9.15am Parents & Toddlers group Thu 7.30pm Community Council Annual Meeting, Village Hall Fri
10th
Sat
11th
Sun 9.30am Morning Worship
12th 13th
Mon 7.30pm Gardening Club Meeting, Village Hall Llanferres’ Over 60s club meeting Tue 7.00pm Bowls Club, Village Hall
14th
Wed 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall
15th
Thu 9.15am Parents & Toddlers Group
16th 17th
Fri Sat
18th
Sun 9.30am Holy Communion
19th
Mon
20th
Tue
21st 22nd 23rd 24th 25th 26th 27th 28th 29th
Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
30th
Fri
31st
Sat
8th
7.00pm Bowls Club, Village Hall 7.30pm Llanferres Dance Club, Village Hall 9.15am Parents & Toddlers Group
9.30am Morning Worship Spring Bank Holiday 7.00pm Bowls Club, Village Hall
Queen’s Baton Relay in Denbighshire
News & Views 7
Nell Williams won the Best Children’s Easter Bonnet prize
Sheila won the Best Easter Bonnet competition
A huge thank you to everyone that came to support our bingo night and to all that donated prizes it's with delight that we can announce that we raised well over £600!!!!!! What fantastic Easter bonnets on parade Rob was a worthy runner up
Adam helped sell the Easter Bunny raffle tickets
An excellent turn out
Efan won the giant Easter Bunny!
All lined up for the “Who can eat the cream egg fastest” competition!
Once again a big THANKS The older persons’ welfare committee
8 News & Views
GARDENING or DOG WALKING Do you need help with either of these?
Then call me on 01352 810559
Having a function, children’s party or a BBQ in the park? Give Jay a call on 0756 833 0629 to ensure that the ice cream van calls!
Call Danny LaFlamme 01352 810350 07791 674216 Or visit www.moneysavingtoday.co.uk
News & Views 9
Gardening Club News Llanferres Parish Gardening Club At the meeting on Monday April 14th, we had as guest speaker Nicolette Evans from Northop College. Her talk "Growing Dahlias and other Cut Flowers" was almost completely devoted to Dahlias. With 10 different species- each with their own growth, flower shape and form - it took Nicolette most of the evening to talk about them. With an excellent set of slides of the 10 species, the variety one can grow is enormous. All present were given printed sheets to cover the dahlia growing needs and pictures of the species. Due to lack of time to cover other cut flowers, Nicolette also gave out printed sheets of other seasonal cut flower ideas for members to peruse. Our next meeting, on Monday 12th May, is a visit to Saith Ffynnon Farm at Whitford - the home of Jan Miller, North Wales Butterfly Conservation Officer. Her garden is devoted to plants for Bees and Butterflies and there will be plants for sale. Visitors (ÂŁ1per meeting) and new members (ÂŁ5 per year) will be most welcome. Best wishes Hon Secretary Mrs Joan Almond ( 810808
Need any sewing work done? Curtains,Valances, Pelmets, Blinds, Cushions, Clothing alterations Give Barbara a call on 01352 810485
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Cyngor y Cymuned - Llanferres
April
money would be allocated for road 'pot From the minutes of the meeting held on hole' repairs; There were two 10th April 2014:- Present: Cllr. David retrospective planning applications for Jones (Chair), Cllr. John Almond, Cllr. cabins in Big Covert and these would go Rob Armstrong, Cllr Yvonne Foden before a full planning meeting; He McCorry, Cllr Rob Jones, Cllr. Margaret requested that parking in Ty'n Llan Davies, the Clerk Mrs Gwyneth Dillon should be sensible and sympathetic. and County Councillor Martyn Holland. As there were members of the public 1. Apologies: Cllr. Olive Parry, Cllr. Jac present who had an interest in a Armstrong, Cllr. David Twomey. Planning Application, the Chairman 2. Declarations of Interest: Cllr Margaret proposed that item 17 'Planning Davies declared a personnel and Matters' should be brought forward and prejudicial interest in a planning dealt with as Item 6. This was agreed. application to be considered by the 21/2014/0360 Community Council and signed the 6. Planning Matters: Proposal: Change of use of part of register. existing agricultural building and rear 3. Meeting open to the public for ten yard to sawmill business use and minutes: Mr Tony King asked why the erection of a dry wood storage building new owners of parts of Big Covert (partly retrospective). Location: Bryn required sheds to 'carry out Ffynnon Sawmills, Llanferres. maintenance work' when the previous Councillor Margaret Davies left the owners (Aberduna Quarry) had room. Because of a distant family maintained the wood for many years relationship, Councillor Rob Jones took without such a facility. no part in the discussion and did not Mr Jelley raised an objection to the vote. Councillors had made a site visit (partly retrospective) Planning to acquaint themselves with the Application No 21/2014/0360. He situation on the ground. After asked how the dry products that were discussion, Councillors resolved to to be stored would be dried. Another raise no objection but would like the member of the public remarked that County Council to take regard of the Sawmill Business was increasing matters raised by local residents and and asked were there any restrictions expressed concerns should the on its expansion and was it possible to business be extended in the future. find out the eventual size of the 21/2014/0302 Proposal: Erection of business. The Chairman explained that detached single garage at side of any expansion would be subject to dwelling. Location: Dane Dale, another planning application. Llanferres. It was resolved to raise no 4. Community Website: Mr Paul Gothorp objection. 21/2014/0096 attended the meeting to report that Proposal: Retention of existing shed the website is now available for and erection of wood store (partly councillors. retrospective). Location: Clwyd Forest 5. County Councillors report: County Big Covert Wood. The Community Councillor Martyn Holland said he did council strongly oppose this not have much to report as he had application. Reasons - Detracts from been away for two weeks. However, the essential appearance of the wood; he did report that crime figures for the amount of work to be carried out does area are down although reported burglaries were slightly up; Extra not warrant a shed; there were
News & Views 11
Meeting
Llanferres - Community Council
concerns about proliferation of such buildings; it is within the AONB; such a structure would not be allowed in open country in a green belt; the area is covered by a National Trust covenant. 21/2014/0368 Proposal: Substitution of house type previously approved under 21/2007/0344 and erection of detached garage. Location: Plot 1, Glebe Land off Rectory Lane, Llanferres. Resolved to make no comment. 7. Minutes of the March Meeting: The minutes for the March meeting were signed as a true record. 8. Matters Arising: No matters were raised. 9. Reports from other meetings: None at this time. 10. Maintenance in the Community: A letter had been received from a company called Amey, working for Scottish Power, requesting permission to trim trees away from power lines on Common Land in Maeshafn. The Community Council resolved to raise no objection but requested that the work be carried out sympathetically and in accordance with best arboreal practice and that any wood which was 'chipped' should be removed from site. 11. Red Telephone Kiosk: Nothing to report. 12. Risk Assessment: The Clerk (Mrs Gwyneth Dillon) asked could a concrete flag be placed in front of the notice board in Tafarn y Gelyn to assist access. The landowner will be contacted. 13. Landscape project - Memorial Stone: Following the article in News & Views, a further fatality from World War Two had been identified by Mrs Beryl Hughes - Norman Hughes who lived in Maeshafn and Cadole. This name will be added to the list.
14. Field Adjacent to the School: The fruit trees and other trees for planting on the field adjacent to the school(Community Open Space) had been received. Some would be planted by the children from the school on the Friday afternoon following the Council meeting and the rest would be planted by volunteers from the village on the Saturday morning. 15. Cold Calling Areas: The Council is awaiting further information. 16. Training and Finance: There will be a Planning Training Meeting on 23rd April and a 'Cluster Meeting on 7th May. Some Councillors will attend. 17. Bills: HMRC £32·20; Denbighshire Voluntary Services £15·00; Association of Council Clerks £101·00. 18. Maeshafn Playing Field: No further progress. 19. Correspondence List: All matters dealt with above. 20. Other Matters that have been brought to Councillors' Attention: Cllr Yvonne Foden McCorry asked could the builders of Cae Derwen be reminded of their responsibility to cut the grass at the entrance to Cae Derwen and expressed concerns about 'For Sale' signs displayed there. Cllr Rob Jones complained about the state of the road from Tafarn y Gelyn to Loggerheads. Cllr John Almond asked whether the County Council highways department was responsible for replacing the wooden fence along the boundary of 'Hill Side' on Ruthin Road as it had erected the original fence. Compliments were made regarding the sculptures on Moel Famau. 21. Date of Next Meeting: Thursday 8th May 2014 - Annual Meeting. John Almond, Vice Chairman
12 News & Views
Church News Services in May 4th 11th 18th 25th
9.30 am Morning Worship 9.30 am Morning Worship 9.30 am Holy Communion 9.30 am Morning Worship
Vestry Meeting At the Vestry meeting held in April the Churchwardens, Secretary and Treasurer were all re-appointed. Clare Dyson has now officially taken over from Patrick as Gift Aid Secretary, having shadowed Patrick for a few months. We have one or two new members on the Gift Direct scheme which is extremely easy to use and has advantages for the Treasurer and for the Gift Aid Secretary. Very few people now use the envelope scheme and it will be discontinued in due course. Please do enquire if you would like more information about the new scheme. It was decided to hold another Sponsored Walk, intending to raise money for News & Views as well as the church, in the autumn and to have a Harvest Supper this year in early October. We now have a splendid new carpet at the back of the church and this area, with the new heaters, makes a cosy space for small meetings. The chimney stack has been repaired but there is a leak from the Lady Chapel window to be investigated. Repairs to the guttering are a work in progress and very recently damage to a stained glass window has been discovered.
Easter Gay would like to thank all those who donated flowers, money for flowers or helped in any way to make the Church so beautiful for Easter. Chef Armstrong demonstrates his skills Those who attended the Lent Groups and Compline Services found them a very helpful preparation for Easter.
Christian Aid Week We shall be collecting for Christian Aid around Llanferres during the official week, 11th to 17th May. Sadly, we are no longer able to find someone to collect in Maeshafn. We would welcome volunteers to help us collect for the excellent work Christian Aid do. If you feel you could cover a street, please contact Daryl, 810611. Please give generously.
News & Views 13
Local News Damage to church windows Sometime towards the end of last month the stained glass window to the right of the church door was damaged, from the shape of the indentation clearly from a football or similar object. The cost of the repair will be in the region of £570 - our insurance excess is £500 so the entire cost will likely have to be borne by the church. It is important to respect the area of the village used for graves of those we have known and loved and be sensitive to how others might feel about what we do in the churchyard. This is particularly pertinent given the proximity of the playing field. It will be a sad day for the village if we have to mesh the church windows, but this will now have to be considered given the damage, as this the second incident in the last two years.
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We are not looking for recompense for the window - at the heart of the Christian message is the idea of understanding and forgiveness, but that is linked to the idea that we can be 'repentant' which means being sorry and promising to start again that is, to try to not do the wrong things again! So saying sorry would be a very good start. Thank you St Berres’ Church PCC
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14 News & Views
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News & Views 15
"A Hot Summer night" featuring The Jalapeños ( Rock & roll at its best )
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The fantastic Jalapeños at the Village hall Llanferres. Saturday June 21st, doors open 7.30pm Fully stocked bar Tickets £10 including Hog Roast. Call Gary 07979156303 for your tickets
16 News & Views LLANFERRES PLAYING FIELD & RECREATION ASSOCIATION
Registered Charity Number : 1059978 Chairman: Mr.D.Hurst Cartref, Ruthin Road Llanferres Nr Mold Denbighshire Tel: 01352 810461
Treasurer: Mr. N.Lennon. Tafarn y Gelyn Llanferres Nr Mold Denbighshire Tel: 01352 810
Secretary: Mr.S.Hodge Isfryn Llanferres Nr Mold Denbighshire Tel: 01352 810
A ‘Date for Your Diary’ Sunday 14th September 2014 The ‘Merida’ Mountain Bike event has again been chosen to be held at Ruthin. For 2014 the format has changed slightly, as have the title sponsors. The Mountain bike event will be back to the usual Sunday with the new sponsors being SCOTT UK. The Llanferres Playing Field Association has agreed to marshal the event, with the help of our local community. Please support your local playing field and children’s park by helping out on the day. Thanks, Dan Hurst, LPFRA. Crc_marshal@hotmail.co.uk
News & Views 17
Llanferres in the Great War Private David Daniel Woodward 201375 1/5th (Flintshire) Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers David Daniel Woodward was born in late 1891 in Llanferres the only son of Adam and his second wife Jane (nĂŠe Roberts) Woodward. He had two older sisters and a younger sister. His father's occupation was as a farmer, and David, then aged 18, was working on the farm at Tyn-y-Mynydd along with his elder sisters in 1911, after his father's death in 1905.
Throughout he continued his regular correspondence with his younger and favourite sister Polly (born Mary) until his last letter in late March 1917 a few days before his death.
By the end of 1916 the Sinai was free from enemy invasion, and the British began to push a railway and water pipeline along the Egyptian coast towards Gaza, an important He married Agnes Fenton from Halkyn in stepping stone before Jerusalem. What was Ruthin in early 1915 and had a surrogate known as the Desert Column, consisting of daughter from Agnes' first marriage and a the Australia and New Zealand Mounted son with Agnes, which the dates suggest, Divisions, the Imperial Mounted Division he probably never knew. He enlisted also and the 53rd Division were due to attack in early 1915, and after basic training in the Turks at Shellal near the Egyptian Kinmel Bay and Oswestry qualified for border, when they withdrew from their active service at the end of June that year. strong positions northwards to the city of Gaza. Sir Archibald Murray, commanding The battered remains of the RWF had officer, had been instructed that no returned from Gallipoli in December that advance should be made further into year and David joined the 5th battalion "A" Palestine until the autumn, but interpreted Company as a draft replacement. an addendum to maintain "pressure on all fronts" and therefore an attack on The war in Palestine is Gaza, as falling within War probably best remembered Cabinet policy. for the exploits of T.E. After crossing the Wadi el Arish Lawrence immortalised in the countryside almost magically the 1962 film "Lawrence of changed "from sand to green Arabia" starring Peter grass" the regimental records O'Toole. Born illegitimate in commenting even further that Tremadog, Gwynedd, he "all is covered with the brilliant studied at Oxford and was a colour of red and yellow poppies, pink dianthus, white keen archaeologist and and pink convolvulus", a rare fluent Arabic speaker. botanical diversion from the near Assisted by irregular Arab endless lists of casualties. troops he conducted a spectacular guerrilla war against Turkish forces from the end of 1916 - not least the capture The Turks further allowed the of Aqaba in July 1917. Awarded the DSO, he had a price of lower slopes of the Wadi Ghazze a short distance south of the city ÂŁ15,000 placed on his head by the Turks, but was never to be reconnoitred, Captain betrayed. Ashton, Brigade Major
18 News & Views
Llanferres in the Great War Friedrich Freiherr (Baron) Kress von Kressenstein, a military engineer, in charge of the Ottoman forces at Gaza. Whilst the first defeat was largely self inflicted he successfully co-ordinated the second British defeat in April that year and the orderly withdrawal of his forces in November 1917. The British replaced numerous generals after the first two battles and the uncompromising General Allenby took over, and his tactics eventually drove the describing them as "rather jolly outings" including a "picnic lunch, an hour's easy, and one would start off home again"‌."the ground fairly covered with little scarlet tulips" The more serious matters took place early on the morning of the 26th March, the town having gradually been part encircled over the previous week, was to be attacked before dawn with the 5th battalion at the head of the column, of a total force of around 12,000. The battalion appeared punctually at 1.00am and waited for the guide who was lost, and only found by officers at 1.30am. The column started out "on a clear starlit night with no moon"‌ "marching through nearly full grown barley and green crops; there was a heavy dew, and all ranks were soaked to the waist". It soon became clear that the guide "had not the vaguest notion where he was" and Brigadier-General Mott took over guiding the brigade to a crossing of the wadi (not the correct one) and the brigade finally stood on the right bank at 4.35am, nearly an hour late and dawn now breaking. A thick sea fog then rolled inland reducing visibility to "about 50 yards", masking Gaza completely by 10.30am, at which time all offices were called to a conference at Mansura, midway between the wadi and the city. There confusion reigned, the artillery was believed to be 2 hours late (although had
already fired on the city) but a revised plan of attack agreed upon, at noon "after which everyone rested" [Ashton - "I had a desperate job to keep awake"] 158th brigade including 5th battalion were to attack from the east, now 30 minutes ahead of the agreed revised time. Lieutenant-Colonel Borthwick commanding the 5th advanced a 1,000 yards, now in full view of the enemy, who fired shrapnel which burst high. Supported by the 6th & 7th battalions they wheeled north to about 500 yards from the enemy position. The whole line then remained stationary until 3.50pm awaiting support and for the bombardment of the enemy positions to lift. There was little direct support for the 5th other than a solitary Lewis machine gun until knocked out by support fire; this incident seemed to spur an assault, through prickly pear hedges, initially successful with the capture of opposing trenches and 20 Austrian and German prisoners as well as Turks. There had been sporadic success elsewhere with 159th Brigade taking Clay Hill, "a nasty hummock with a lot of cactus hedges" and 161st Brigade taking Green Hill on the right of the RWF, and elsewhere the outskirts of the city had been penetrated.
News & Views 19
Llanferres in the Great War Rumours, however, began to spread of a Turkish relief force, and then, even by WW1 standards, a catastrophic muddle of orders and counter orders brought the advance to a standstill and a withdrawal ordered that evening at 6.10pm, reaching the 5th battalion around midnight, and more advance elements around dawn. The Brigade Major wrote in his diary "the whole remnant of the (Turkish) garrison, and Gaza itself, was like a large plum, and no one to pluck it‌." concluding ruefully "orders were orders"
There was a short eulogy in the Denbighshire Free Press 14th April 1917
"The War - official intimation has been received that Private David Daniel Woodward, only son of the late Adam Woodward of Tyn-y-Mynydd died of wounds on March 27th in Egypt. He leaves a widow and two young children. He was of a quiet and kind disposition, and was beloved by all who knew him. He was remarkable for his physical strength. Much sympathy is extended to his family, widowed mother and relations" The 26th had been a fairly cool day but the Agnes later re-married and returned to 27th was very hot with khasmin blowing (a Halkyn. hot sandy wind) and the 5th were exhausted having started at dusk on the David was probably buried at sea and is 25th, with two 7 mile marches, and commemorated on the Jerusalem fighting in difficult terrain, and then the Memorial and on his parent's grave in retreat over the exposed plain, unable to Llanferres Churchyard. fire on the enemy due to the wounded they had left behind. He was awarded the British Medal and the Victory Medal and would have qualified Not until 10pm that evening did they return for the 1915 Star. to the banks of the Wadi Ghazze; casualties had been heavy with 4 officers and 33 ORs killed, 8 officers and 186 ORs wounded, 9 missing. David was one of those Ordinary Ranks wounded, and died of his wounds on the 27th aged 26. The Regimental records states "the result of this battle was precisely nil" but it was clearly a defeat, the initial estimate of Turkish losses between six and seven thousand probably three times the total defending forces prior to their reinforcement. Gaza was not to be occupied until 7th November 1917 (being heavily refortified after the March battle) when the Turks withdrew after a third battle, and Jerusalem was finally captured on 9th December effectively ending Turkey's role in the war.
Noel Headley headley889@btinternet.com Tel 01352 810224 Llwyn-y-Moelyn Rectory Lane Llanferres CH7 5SR
20 News & Views
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News & Views 21
Llanferres Community Council
Thank you to everyone who helped with the planting on the field adjacent to the school and very special thanks to the staff and pupils of Ysgol Bro Famau who did such a good job on the Friday afternoon. In total, twenty three heritage fruit trees and over 400 seedlings were planted. Our thanks also to the Woodland Trust who supplied the”Wild Harvest” plant pack which includes varieties which will provide food for all manner of wildlife. David Jones, Chairman
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22 News & Views
Local News Llanferres locals to carry the Queen’s Baton Three local cycling enthusiasts, including two from the village itself, have been selected for the honour of carrying the Queen’s Baton for a section of the relay through Wales on its way to Glasgow. Adrian Walls and Dan Hurst from Llanferres, along with Chris Marshall from Gwernymynydd will be amongst those who carry the baton on the Denbighshire leg on May 30 when it journeys from Rhyl Harbour to Llandegla via Moel Fammau. There are more details and links on our website www.llanferres.org Profiles from the official site below: Adrian Walls, 56: “The man behind mountain biking across North Wales Adrian has been instrumental in the development of mountain biking across North Wales. In 1989 he formed the first dedicated mountain biking club and went on to introduce the first mountain bike race in Clocaenog Forest in 1990. In 1991 he organised the first National Downhill Championships in Wales. Over the years he has worked with numerous landowners to advise about mountain bike trails and since 1993 he has been one of the first mountain bike specific commissure qualified by the OCU.”
Dan Hurst, 40: “Runner, fundraiser and Ruthin Mountain Bike Marathon organiser from Llanferres Gruelling event runner, Dan, has taken part in the Excalibur in Moel Famau, finished fourth in Class D of the original Mountain Marathon in 2013 and also competed in European Cycling events. An integral member of the team that organises the Ruthin Mountain Bike Marathon, Dan undertakes a huge amount of voluntary work to ensure the event can take place, whilst also raising thousands of pounds to improve the children’s playground for the youngsters in Llanferres.”
Chris Marshall, 66: “Committed and long standing cycling volunteer from Gwernymynydd The Chair of the North Wales Mountain Bike Association, Chris has made a valuable contribution to cycling in the Moel Famau area for more than 25 years. During the 90s he regularly led groups of young people and adults on regular rides and he’s been responsible for running an annual series of crosscountry races whilst also providing local knowledge for the Ruthin Mountain Bike Marathon Event.”
News & Views 23
Local News
VILLAGE HALL WHIST EVENINGS The final meeting of this session was a huge success with a record attendance. All members received an Easter prize with Marion Bellis winning the Easter Bonnet competition. Other winners were:--24/03
Morfudd Shawcross and Patrick Austin
31/03
Joan Almond and Rob Jones
7/04
Tony Griffiths and Chris Griffiths. Noel Headley won the roll-over with 182 pts.
Thanks to all who have supported the Event by attending and thanks to all who have donated prizes. Keep a lookout in News and Views for details of the next Whist dates.
News & Views relies on the help of a number of distributors every month in order to reach everyone's home. They are: John & Joan Almond Alan Clinton Sue Davies The Givelins The Harveys Maureen Hill Dave & Eleri Ivanoff David & Janet Jones The Shillitos Sue, Miners Lane, Maeshafn
Thanks you all for your giving up your time and your generous help Thanks to Herbert at Cadole and Loggerheads Garage too. for your help every month.
Village Hall Booking If you wish to book the Village Hall for an event or party or what you will, please contact the booking secretary Gilly Carney Tel: 07741 316 349
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Local News Parents & Toddlers (& Babies)
CHARITY CRAFT/ ATTIC SALE
The group meets every Thursday morning in the Village Hall from 9.15 to 11.15. The cost is ÂŁ1.50 to cover the hire of the hall, refreshments and other expenses. The group does not meet during school holidays. New families always welcome.
By popular request we are holding another sale in the village hall on Sat. June 7th. 10.30am to 1pm.
Contact details: Mrs Daryl Austin: tel. 810611 or email daryl.austin4@gmail.com
If you would like to book a table for a charity or for yourself please ring Pat Armstrong on 810259. More details in next month's News and Views.
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BACK IN NORTH WALES WITH NEW ALBUM Sunday 1st June at 7.00 pm CILCAIN PARISH CHURCH, CILCAIN
Yvonne Lyon ‘just stunning music’ - Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2 ‘georgeous voice’ - Q Magazine Recently on tour with Eddie Reader and with a new album, ‘These Small Rebellions’ acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter returns, by popular demand, to Cilcain. All Tickets £10 from Adrian or Diane Copping, tel 01352 810936, email:adriancopping@hotmail.com, from Cilcain Village Shop, or online at www.wegottickets.com
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THE DRUID INN THE DRUID WINS ACCOMMODATION AWARD
Are you aware that The Druid Inn team have won the Marston's Accommodation Provider of the Year Award 2014 for the North region? We have now been nominated to progress through to the National Pub Awards - and so will keep you in touch with our progress.
Twenty Years at The Druid We have been at The Druid for 20 years, and Marston’s have brewed a special Celebration Ale for us to enjoy with our friends and customers - please call in and enjoy a beer with us between 5pm and 7pm on Saturday May 10.
D INN THE DRUI www.thedruidinn.com
Llanferres Tel: 810225
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“Better than a Five Star Hotel�* Hafan Deg is a unique house, full of character, offering high quality accommodation.
Family Friendly FREE WiFi Dog Friendly Walkers Welcome Bikers Welcome
*Comment from a recent guest.
Although Hafan Deg is primarily a Bed & Breakfast, it is also the ideal venue for small intimate get-togethers, pamper weekends, girls weekend, sophisticated bride to be weekends. Packages tailor-made for the ultimate 'get away from it all' weekends.
Whether on holiday or business, guests are sure of a warm and personal welcome from Catriona and David. For more information, photographs and comments from guests see our website: www.hafandeg.co.uk
The venue not only has the B&B rooms, it also has a large open dining room, mezanine floor with seating area, and also a large garden with various seating areas.
Hafan Deg, Maeshafn, Mold. Call us on 01352 810465
28 News & Views
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News & Views 29
A note from your County Councillor Spring is here and with it a little overdue sunshine. At the moment I am dog sitting for two weeks while my sister and brother in law visit my nephew who is teaching English in Thailand. We are walking every day and I am not sure who is struggling the most the dog who is fifteen years old or me but I keep telling myself that it must be good for my waist line!!
sound business case for installing these in our area but if there is a need I am more than happy to put an application together.
The county is currently reviewing the need for dropped curbs and if you feel there is a requirement for these in your area please let me know. Everything needs to be costed these days and I will need to provide a
I hope that you have all had a great Easter break.
The county is also reviewing its housing stock. If you are a council tenant and your property needs updating or any repairs On my walks I have noticed the amount of again please let me know. litter in our country side and sadly I counted over thirty animal feed bags and On the 17th April I attended the official buckets in one field alone on my most opening of the new Shepherd’s Hut at Moel recent walk. These end up blocking water Famau. The hut is based on an original courses and gullies and can cause localised design and during the day it will provide flooding. It is the duty of all of us, residents, tea and coffee, light refreshments and visitors and those of us who earn a living in tourist information. At the end of each day the country side to protect our it will be moved to a safe location. environment by disposing of all rubbish in the correct way. Please help to keep our As the local member, it was a great country side as it should be. pleasure to welcome our MP the Right Honourable David Jones Secretary of State As many of you know some of the for Wales who officially cut the ribbon. It woodland known as the Big Covert in was also good to see a number of other Maeshafn has recently been sold in small small businesses there and if anyone is plots. There has been some concern interested in starting up their own expressed about buildings and structures enterprise there are a number of teams in that have appeared in parts of the wood the county who are happy to help with and the county has asked all of the new guidance and who can point you in the owners to submit retrospective planning right direction for financial assistance. applications for the work already done. The completed applications should go before As many of you know at the end of March I the Counties Planning Committee and the had a couple of weeks in the States only to Community Council in the next two return once again to a large number of months. If you have any observations now e-mails. If you have sent me an e-mail is the time to lodge them. please bear with me as I clear the back log.
Best wishes, Martyn
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32 News & Views
40th
Llanferres Parish Gardening Club Anniversary Show, September 6th 2014
Advance Notice Art Classes (Open) Adult Section Any Medium (22”x 18”) (550mm x 450mm) Class
170 171 172 173 174 175
Reflections A Street Scene Seascape Poppies An Insect Abstract (Titled)
176 up to 7 yrs, An Animal (A4) 177 8 to 11 yrs, Flowers (A4) 178 12 to 16 yrs A Coastal Scene (size as Adult)
David Jones, Show Secretary
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News & Views 33
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News & Views 35
Nature Notes To me the proof that spring has really arrived is the appearance of the first Orange tip butterflies, the first of which I saw on 13th April this year. Up to then all the butterflies I had seen were ones which overwinter as adults but the Orange tip survives as a pupa, a state it occupies for nine months. The adult insect only lives for a few weeks. The orange on the forewings is believed to be a warning sign to predators that the insect is unpalatable for it contains mustard oils accumulated in the body from the larval food plants which include Garlic Mustard and Hedge Mustard. Why the females do not have the orange colouration is not clear. Another overwintering butterfly, now on the wing, is the Speckled wood of which I have seen several. This species is unique in Britain as the only species that can pass the winter in one of two stages, either as a larva or a pupa. Summer bird migrants continue to arrive. I saw Wheatears on the 29th March, Swallows were reported as having been seen on 12th April (although I did not see any in Llanferres until a few days later), and by the 16th Willow warblers were frequent and I saw my first Blackcap on the same day. Willow warblers and Chiffchaffs are very similar in appearance and difficult to tell apart but there are subtle differences. The Chiffchaff is a little browner and always looks slightly 'scruffy' while the Willow warbler has a 'sleeker' outline and its eye-stripe (supercillium) is comparatively more pronounced. But the really
distinguishing feature is their totally dissimilar songs. In the December edition of News & Views I remarked on the large number of acorns on the ground which were sprouting and in danger of creating an Oak thicket if they were not eaten by wildlife. I visited the same site recently and was not able to find a single Oak sapling or spouting acorn so, as I predicted, they all seemed to have been eaten. Grey squirrels, Rodents, Jays and Wood pigeons are the probable beneficiaries. A friend tells me that a Blue tit is removing nesting material (grass and feathers) from a nest box rather than taking it in and asks do I have an explanation. The box was cleaned out during the winter so it cannot be a last year's nest. After some research, I think there could be several explanations but which is correct is anybody's guess. Perhaps another bird had started to build then either abandoned the effort or been killed and the present bird had taken over and wanted to create its own nest; maybe some material had been taken in by a bird using it as a winter-roost after it had been cleaned out; it is known that male Blue tits sometimes take in material that the female regards as unsuitable so she rejects it (house proud wife??). Whatever the reason, it is an intriguing observation.
John Almond
01352 810808
36 News & Views
Graham Johns
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News & Views 37
Local Councillors Martyn Holland, Denbighshire County Councillor for Llanferres, Llanarmon yn Ial & Llandegla. 01824 780703 martyn.holland@denbighshire.gov.uk Gwyneth Dillon, Clerk to Llanferres Community Council, 01978 790269 Llanferres Community Councillors David Jones, Chairman, 01352 810511 John Almond, Vice Chairman, 01352 810808 Rob Armstrong, 01352 810259 Jac Armstrong, 01352 810259 Margaret Davies, 01352 810491 Yvonne Foden-McCorry, 01352 810867 Rob Jones, 01352 810500 Olive Parry, 01352 810294 Dave Twomey, 01352 810690 Please contact any of the above if you have anything you would like to be brought to the attention of your Community Council.
‘Llain Hir’ – 4-bedroom house, sleeps 8 (+cot). Situated on seafront with first floor balcony providing superb views of St Tudwal’s islands and the Cambrian coastline. The house is literally a stone’s throw from the beach, within walking distance of the town centre, Pwllheli Golf Club, the leisure centre and the marina. All bed linen provided along with well equipped kitchen, colour TV, washing machine, dishwasher etc and barbecue area to the rear. Pets welcome by prior arrangement.
For bookings or enquiries please Available all year round for weekly lets or ring Simon or June Lovell. mid week/long weekend breaks. Tel: 01352 810582
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38 News & Views
Village Organisations Badminton Club - June Healy Tel: 810264 Bowling Club - Every Tuesday in the village hall, 7pm - 9pm Contact Dave Twomey Tel: 810690. Church - Rev'd Adrian Copping, The New Rectory, Rectory Lane, Llanferres Mold, CH7 5SR Email: adriancopping@hotmail.com. Tel: 810936 Rector's Warden - Mr. Brian Skelhorn 16 Cae Gwyn. Tel: 810422 People's Warden - Mrs Anne Woodward, Cysgodfa, Tafarn-y-Gelyn, Llanferres, CH7 5SQ, Tel: 810270 Clwydian Conservation Campaign - Pen y Chwareli, Pant Ddu Road, Nercwys CH7 4DD Gardening Club - Mrs Joan Almond, 20 Cae Derwen, Llanferres. Tel: 810808 Llanferres Alcoholic Mountain Biking Soc. (LAMBS) - Gordon Jones Tel: 810305 Llanferres Community Council - Mrs Gwyneth Dillon, Rhosddigre, Llandegla, LL11 3AU Tel: 01978 790269 Llanferres Playing Field & Recreation Association - Secretary, Simon Hodge. Tel: 810686 Maeshafn Cricket Club - Secretary: Jonathan Fagan. Tel: 810824 Old People's Welfare Committee - Secretary, Yvonne Foden-McCorry Tel: 810867 PTFA Ysgol Bro Famau - Chair, Kym Willis 07578392305 / 01824 780888 Llanferres Over 60s Club - Olive Parry. Tel: 810294 Village Hall Booking Secretary - Gilly Carney. Tel 077413 16349 Village Hall Management Committee - Chairman, Rob Armstrong. 810259
News & Views: Paul & Siobhan Gothorp 2 Cae Gwyn, Llanferres, Mold, CH7 5SL Tel: (01352) 810566 Email: news@llanferres.org www.llanferres.org Deadline is 20th of the month prior to publication
News & Views 39
40 News & Views
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